Monthly Archives: April 2016

Karl’s Mushroom and Barley Soup

Jan really liked the last mushroom soup I made. She asked for a soup just for the two of us, Eilene—who hates mushrooms—was off on an overnight. Reworking that recipe actually improved it quite a bit.

Karl's Mushroom and Barley Soup

Karl’s Mushroom and Barley Soup

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Filed under California Fusion, Main Dishes, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vegetarian MD

Karl’s Szechuan Pepper Shrimp and Arugula Salad

The mushroom hater is on an overnight at a friend’s house, so Jan asked for a mushroom dish. She really liked the last one I did, so I thought I would do a variation. Soup calls for salad and crackers.

Karl’s Szechuan Pepper Shrimp and Arugula Salad

Karl’s Szechuan Pepper Shrimp and Arugula Salad

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Filed under California Fusion, Salads, Seafood, Shrimp, Side Dishes, Vegetables

Karl’s Sichuan Pepper Crackers

It is just Jan and me for a Saturday night. Eilene is off at a party, so Jan asked for something with mushrooms, like mushroom soup—something Eilene does not like. Soup calls for a salad and crackers.

Karl’s Sichuan Pepper Crackers

Karl’s Sichuan Pepper Crackers

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Filed under bread, California Fusion, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

Karl’s Caramel Mandarin Micro Marmalade

I have been making marmalade the same way for years for a Christmas giveaway. I bought a  microplane zester that produced very fine bits of rind. Over time I have been experimenting with the recipe— no extra water, fine bits of zest and less and less sugar. This has produced an intensely flavorful marmalade.

Karl’s Caramel Mandarin Micro Marmalade

Karl’s Caramel Mandarin
Micro Marmalade

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Filed under Breakfast, California Fusion, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

Karl’s Strawberry Jam

Adapted from an Ina Garten recipe

When I was a child my mother, Claudia, would make strawberry jam every strawberry season. With five kids and a tight budget, it was one more way to stretch a dollar—even then commercial jelly was expensive. Whenever she did this, she would also bake bread—the smell of fresh bread and jam would fill the house. We would all gather around anticipating the treat of hot jam on warm bread just out of the oven.

Karl’s Strawberry Jam

Karl’s Strawberry Jam

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Filed under Breakfast, California Fusion, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

Karl’s Chicken Taco Salad with Hot-Pan Salsa (Two Versions)

A common weekday dinner at my house is Chinese chicken salad. I have done it often enough that it has become a bit boring. I thought about what I could do that was similar, but in a different culture. When I make tacos, Jan uses the leftovers to make a taco salad for her lunch.  I thought: “That is a starting point!”

Karl’s Chicken Taco Salad with Hot-Pan Salsa

Karl’s Chicken Taco Salad
with Hot-Pan Salsa

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Filed under California Fusion, Chicken, Main Dishes, Poultry, Salads, Vegan, Vegetarian

Karl’s Spicy Chicken with Pan Fried Noodles

Every year, my sister Karen renews my subscription to Cooks Illustrated at Christmas time. Over the years, I have tried and usually adapted many of their recipes—I am frequently at odds with some of their philosophies of cooking. In the October 2006 issue, they presented a recipe Stir-Fried Chicken with Bok Choy and Crispy Noodle Cake.

Karl’s Spicy Chicken with Pan Fried Noodles

Karl’s Spicy Chicken
with Pan Fried Noodles

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Filed under Chicken, Main Dishes, Poultry, Stir-fry, Vegan, Vegetarian

Claudia’s Baked Salmon

Before I left home for the first time, I sat down with my mother’s recipe box and wrote down my favorite dishes. I just posted a salmon cake recipe that put me in mind of one of my mother’s recipes: Baked Salmon. Claudia’s recipe cards were remarkable in their brevity and assumed knowledge. I will present the card as written and then give more detailed instructions for making this dish. Continue reading

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Filed under Fish, Main Dishes, Seafood

Karl’s Leftovers: Salmon Cake

When I make my Sunday meals, I usually make enough for one to three leftover meals. Sometimes this means just the same meal again. Other times I use whatever is left over as the basis for a new dish.

Karl’s Leftovers: Salmon Cake

Karl’s Leftovers: Salmon Cake

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Filed under Breakfast, Fish, Main Dishes, Seafood

Karl’s Leftovers: Corn Beef Hash

When I make my Sunday meals, I usually make enough for one to three leftover meals. Sometimes this means just the same meal again. Other times I use whatever is left over as the basis for a new dish.

Karl’s Leftovers: Corn Beef Hash

Karl’s Leftovers: Corn Beef Hash

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Filed under Beef, Breakfast, Broiling, Main Dishes, Potatoes